NWC Around the World

I spent part of this past week in Germany at an educator's conference. It was a wonderful surprise to sit down to come across three different women who also attended Northwestern College. We are all serving MKs in Europe. It's amazing to hear how God moved in our lives to bring us to Romania, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. There was a neat camaraderie in remembering NWC. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have attended NWC and the fun of making connections around the world.

Hope

I was finishing up some work at school before leaving for spring break yesterday afternoon when this song came on the radio. I wanted to finish every little bit possible so I wasn't taking work with me and wasn't worrying about coming back to piles of work. I loved the hope offered by this song...that although it feels like everything's falling apart we can trust that God is holding on to us and he is faithful.

Everything Falls
Fee

You said
You'd never leave or forsake me
When you said,
This life is gonna shake me
You said
This world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
This I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

When I see
The darkness all around me
When I see
The tragedy has found me
I still believe
Your faithful arms will never let me go
And still I know

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

Sorrow may last for the night
But hope is rising with the sun
Its rising with the sun
There will be storms in this life
But I know You will overcome

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on

When everything falls apart
Your arms hold me together
When everything falls apart
You're the only hope for this heart
When everything falls apart
And my strength is gone
I find You mighty and strong
You keep holding on
You keep holding on

The Power of Expectations

The more I think about it, the more I realize that our expectations have great power. They have the ability to determine how we feel after an event or whether we actually enjoy a holiday. Expectations can leave us feeling trapped. Often expectations are left unspoken. Whether they are expectations we have of ourselves or others, events or situations, expectations shape the way we look at the world around us. Many times our expectations are high. When confronted with the difference between reality and our expectations we often feel discouraged.

Just after shaving my head I experienced a freedom from expectations. I broke through. Shaving my head wasn't what anyone expected...it wasn't what I expected...and there was great freedom in that. I suddenly felt liberated to be myself completely and my eyes felt opened in new ways.

Just a couple weeks ago, I had a similar experience. This time it didn't involve shaving my head, but sitting still. I found myself able to hear my heart, to see clearly what for many years has felt cloudy. And once again I found myself free from trying to live by my expectations and the expectations of others.

I'm sure the battle isn't over. It's a constant fight to be aware of the expectations I have and those that I feel others have for me. But, I'm excited about the bit of light I feel and the grace to step forward into each day trusting God to lead me into His plan for my life.

Uggh...

That's kind of how I've been feeling lately...like there wasn't much to share because it just wasn't even making sense within my own head. I pulled out my camera today to upload some new pictures of my class and found pictures that I had forgotten. It was fun to remember that although February was the longest short month ever, there were some wonderful memories in that month! I hope you'll smile with me even though some of these things are a bit outdated:)

Amazing Students

I've shared in the past how much I truly enjoy working with the students at BCA. They are a tremendous group! The last week of February I had the privilege of chaperoning the honor roll lunch. Over half of our secondary students were on the honor roll for first semester. We walked to the mall and enjoyed pizza together at Pizza Hut.

After a delicious lunch, the students each bowled a game there at the Bucharest Mall. They sure had a lot of fun! It was a joy to see them able to have fun together after working hard!

Our group headed back to school--filling the entire escalator:)

Unconvential Staff Meeting

For our all staff inservice in February, we decided to focus on relationship building instead of teaching methods. We spent the morning playing games together. It was fun to play and laugh!



Following lunch from Pizza Hut, we split into groups for a time of affirming one another. Reading through a list of adjectives, we circled all the words we felt each person embodied and then selected our top 10 to share with that person, explaining how we had seen that evidenced in their lives. What a neat opportunity to build one another up.

When it Rains...it Pours

Last month, while there was still snow piled all over the city, it began to rain, and rain, and rain. The storm drains were covered with snow causing the freezing water mixed with snow chunks to gather in the streets. As I stepped out my front door, I was soaked up to my ankles. I was soggy by the time I arrived at school and thankful for the forethought to bring along different pants and shoes. A couple days later, I was thankful to see dry ground in front of my apartment.

"Silence is Golden"

In the midst of a clamoring classroom or chaotic city, certainly silence seems golden and something of great desire. The calm that comes from sitting in silence can certainly be a special gift after a long day at work.

But at other times, silence can feel like torture.
-when waiting for news from across the ocean about the health of a family member
-when waiting and wondering what a friend is thinking
-when walking forward while still feeling uncertain of what God's leading might be
-when you feel all alone

I'm thankful that God comes in the midst of stillness...that he provides the grace to wait in the silence.

Middle School Snow Ball

How fitting that on the evening of the Middle School Banquet, Bucharest was once again transformed by snow. It started falling early in the evening and by the time we left that evening, there was significant accumulation on the ground.

Student Council did a wonderful job of transforming the activity room at BCA into a winter wonderland. They were gracious hosts and wonderful servants for the 6th-8th grade attendees.


I had the wonderful privilege of attending this banquet as a chaperon. Here I am with the sixth grade girls who attended and sat at a table with me.
Student Council members this year:)--a great group of students!

Two Words

For many of us who grew up attending church and memorizing Bible verses, it always seemed to be emphasized that the shortest verse was, "Jesus wept." I think I'd heard a couple of times that this verse came in the middle of the 'story' of Lazarus. (John 11:35)

As I was reading the Bible yesterday morning, I came across another two word verse (at least in the NASB)...
1 Thessalonians 5:16--Rejoice always.

Followed by:
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18--Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

As the verse from John was mentioned in chapel yesterday, I started thinking about possible connections between these two short verses. I find it most difficult to rejoice, pray, or give thanks in the midst of tears and grief.

As I thought about the 'story' of Lazarus, I saw how through his tears, Jesus was praying, giving thanks, and rejoicing. Although I usually picture Jesus crying for a time and then getting up and going about the business of raising Lazarus from the dead, I have to believe the effects of his grief carried throughout that entire event. I don't think it was an immediate switch.

So, for me...what will I choose to rejoice about today even in the midst of difficulties (trivial compared to the death of a friend)....

Our study this year in chapel/Bible classes is on the promises of God. Some seem so happy, nice, and welcome:
~Salvation for all who call
~God will forgive you
~Nothing can separate you from God's love
~God will complete his work in you
~You will bear fruit
~The Lord will guide you
~God will not withhold any good thing
~God will fight for you

Some are a bit harder to understand.
~God will discipline you
~God will not bring any unnecessary suffering into your life

It's my choice how I'll react in the midst of uncertainties, unknowns, and challenges. What can I choose to rejoice about today?
~my name is written in the book of life...eternity is secure
~God's promises which are certain
~I'm not alone
~God is in control
~the love of my family
~I have dear friends near me to help and encourage me--to bring laughter into my life when it seems I've forgotten what it is
~my needs are being met--warm apartment, clothes, food, bed, hot water, and on and on
~I have a gift to share with others
~my life makes a difference (what kind of difference am I making today?)

Though the future is uncertain (not comfortable), I want to be more focused on those things that are certain. It's a daily, moment by moment battle...one that I think the enemy would like to see me lose. But, I've got God on my side--He will overcome!!